Absolute Cheater

Darren gritted his teeth, pouring more energy into his summon in a last-ditch effort to break free, but Freya's relentless control of the World Tree power overwhelmed him. The beast let out a final, defiant roar before collapsing under the weight of the roots.

Darren raised his hands in surrender, nodding in respect. "You win this one, Freya."

Elder Valen nodded as he called the next pair.

Sylas Black vs. Leona Artemis

The match began with Sylas summoning a legion of skeletal warriors, each armed with jagged swords and shields made of bone. They marched forward in perfect unison, their hollow eyes locked onto Leona. Sylas himself stood behind them, a dark aura swirling around him as he prepared his next move.

Leona's World Eye ability activated, her irises glowing with a golden hue. She moved with eerie precision, each step calculated as if she already knew where the skeletons would strike. Her hand extended, and a blade of light materialized, sharp and radiant. She darted forward, slicing through the first wave of skeletal warriors with ease, her movements graceful and deadly.

Sylas smirked, raising his hands as a massive, hulking construct of bone and shadow emerged from the ground. The construct swung a giant club, aiming directly for Leona. She dodged effortlessly, her World Eye guiding her, but the construct adapted, its attacks becoming faster and more erratic.

The crowd watched in awe as the arena became a chaotic battlefield. Sylas summoned more skeletons to flank her, forcing Leona to split her focus. Yet, every time an attack came close, she evaded it with impossible timing, her blade striking with pinpoint accuracy to dismantle the constructs.

However, as the fight dragged on, Leona's movements became slower, her breathing labored. Sylas capitalized on her fatigue, sending his constructs into a frenzy. Just as it seemed he might gain the upper hand, Leona let out a cry, her World Eye glowing brighter than ever. She delivered a flurry of strikes that shattered the bone construct, leaving Sylas defenseless.

Panting, Sylas raised his hands in defeat. "You've got me. Well played."

Leona nodded, though her trembling hands betrayed her exhaustion. The match had pushed both of them to their limits.

Zane Indra vs. Titus Riverdale

The clash between Zane and Titus began with a crack of thunder as Zane unleashed a bolt of Black Lightning, the dark energy crackling through the air and striking the ground with explosive force. Titus countered by summoning a massive wall of water, the lightning splintering against it in a shower of sparks and steam.

Zane grinned, the air around him buzzing with electricity. "Let's see how long that water can hold up."

Titus smirked, drawing moisture from the air to create a series of water tendrils that lashed out at Zane. The tendrils moved with precision, striking like serpents, but Zane's reflexes were lightning-fast, dodging each one with ease. He retaliated by sending a chain of lightning bolts arcing toward Titus, forcing him to summon a whirlpool shield to absorb the attack.

The arena turned into a storm of electricity and water, the two powers clashing with devastating force. Zane created a web of lightning that spread across the ground, trying to trap Titus, but Titus manipulated the water beneath his feet, lifting himself into the air to avoid it. From above, he launched a deluge of high-pressure water blasts, each one narrowly missing Zane as he zigzagged across the arena.

The fight continued in a relentless back-and-forth, neither gaining the upper hand. Zane's attacks became faster and more aggressive, while Titus's water manipulation grew more intricate, using the vapor in the air to create mist that obscured Zane's vision.

As the mist thickened, Zane let out a laugh, his body radiating lightning that dispersed the vapor in a flash. "Nice try, but you'll need more than that."

Titus responded by forming a massive wave, crashing it down on Zane, who barely managed to deflect it with a shield of lightning. Both fighters stood panting, their energies waning.

Elder Valen eventually raised his hand. "This match is declared a draw. Well fought, both of you."

The crowd erupted into applause, acknowledging the skill and power displayed by both participants.

The matches continued, each showcasing the incredible abilities of the academy's best. As the trials unfolded, the tension grew, with elders and spectators alike marveling at the sheer talent on display.

Freya Enrose vs. Sylas Black

Freya stepped into the arena once again, her serene demeanor masking the formidable power she wielded. Opposite her, Sylas stood with his necromantic energy coiling around him like a living shadow.

The fight began with Freya summoning an array of thorned vines that erupted from the ground, twisting and lashing out toward Sylas. He countered by raising a horde of skeletal constructs, their bony forms moving with unnatural agility as they intercepted the vines.

Freya didn't flinch, her roots growing denser and stronger, splitting into sharp tendrils that pierced through the skeletons. Sylas responded by summoning a massive spectral beast, its maw snapping as it lunged for Freya. She raised her hand, and the roots formed a protective barrier, catching the beast mid-air and crushing it in a display of overwhelming force.

"Her control is immaculate," one of the elders muttered, nodding in approval. "A true heir of the World Tree."

Sylas, undeterred, unleashed a wave of necrotic energy that blackened the roots, causing them to wither and crumble. The arena darkened as his energy spread, but Freya simply smiled, placing her palm on the ground. A pulse of green light surged outward, purging the necrotic energy and rejuvenating the roots.

The fight ended with Freya's vines trapping Sylas, forcing him to concede. He nodded in respect as he was released, acknowledging her superior mastery.

Darren Dagon vs. Zane Indra

The next match brought two powerhouses into the arena. Darren summoned another colossal beast, this one a winged serpent that soared into the sky, casting a shadow over the battlefield. Zane, ever confident, greeted it with a barrage of Black Lightning, the bolts striking the serpent's scales with explosive force.

The beast roared, diving toward Zane with its jaws wide open. Zane dashed to the side, his movements a blur as he evaded the attack and retaliated with a concentrated blast of lightning aimed at Darren. The Overlord adept raised his hand, and the serpent coiled protectively around him, absorbing the attack.

"He's using the creature as a shield," remarked Elder Valen, stroking his beard. "Clever, but Zane's speed may prove too much."

The fight turned into a high-stakes game of cat and mouse, with Zane zipping across the arena, dodging the serpent's strikes and launching attacks at its vulnerable spots. Darren, meanwhile, maintained a calm focus, directing his beast with precision and forcing Zane into tighter corners.

Finally, Zane unleashed his full power, his body glowing with electrical energy as he fired a massive bolt of Black Lightning that split the air with a deafening crack. The serpent roared as it was struck, its massive form crashing to the ground. Darren raised his hand in surrender, acknowledging Zane's victory.

Titus Riverdale vs. Leona Artemis

Titus and Leona stepped into the arena, their abilities a study in contrast. Titus, with his fluid water manipulation, moved like a wave, his attacks flowing seamlessly. Leona, with her vision-based precision, struck with surgical accuracy, every move calculated.

The match began with Titus summoning a whirlpool around himself, creating a barrier of spinning water. Leona, unbothered, activated her World Eye, her golden gaze piercing through the swirling defenses. She launched a series of light blades, each one slicing through the whirlpool and forcing Titus to retreat.

Titus retaliated with a tidal wave, crashing it toward Leona, but she leaped into the air, her movements guided by her uncanny foresight. She landed gracefully, her blade glowing brighter as she sent a concentrated beam of light cutting through the wave and striking Titus.

The fight continued, with Titus creating intricate water constructs—serpents, spears, and shields—to keep Leona at bay. But her precision proved too much, each attack dismantling his defenses piece by piece.

The match ended with Titus running out of moisture to manipulate, his energy spent. He raised his hand in defeat, offering a bow of respect to Leona, who nodded in return.

***

On the Observation Deck, the Elders were in their own heated argument.

"Freya Enrose has shown remarkable control over her World Tree abilities," one elder commented. "Her endurance and adaptability are unparalleled."

"Zane Indra is a force to be reckoned with," another added. "His speed and raw power make him a deadly opponent."

"And what of Asher Magnus?" Elder Valen asked, his tone carrying weight. "He not only endured longer than anyone else but displayed a level of power that defies his apparent experience."

The elders nodded in agreement, their desire for Asher growing. As the trials concluded, the students were directed to prepare for the next phase of the academy's grueling curriculum, their spirits high but their bodies and minds exhausted from the ordeal.